Detachable gooseneck



Aug. 24, 1965 T. M. CONE 3302,49

DETACHABLE GOOSENECK Filed Nov. '7, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l A TTOR/VEY Aug. 24, 1965 T. M. CONE 3,202,40fi

DETACHABLE GOOSENECK Filed Nov. 7, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Trueif M. Cone Y paw/Mm X 90mm A TTORNEY United States Patent 3,262,490 DETACHABLE GOOSENECK Truett M. Cone, Fort Worth, Tern, assignor to Mid-Continent Supply (30., Fort Worth, Ten, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 236,038 Claims. (Ci. 254--2} This invention relates to improvements in oil field equipment and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to detachable gooseneck structure for facilitating the transporting or skidding of heavy drilling equipment, or the like, without a disassembly thereof.

In the oil or gas well drilling industry, it is common practice today to use heavy duty equipment for the drilling of most well bores, and particularly for the drilling of well bores of substantially great depths. Normally the draw works and mast, or derrick, are mounted on a substructure in a manner to comprise a unit. Also, the engines and compounding chain transmissions are on another substructure forming another unit. These two substuctures are pinned or otherwise attached to each other. The mud pump and mud tanks are normally each on a separate unit. In addition, pipe racks, and the like, are also used in association with the drilling equipment and are normally located in the vacinity of the drilling rig. The drilling rig, including all of the drilling equipment necessary for the drilling of a well bore, is usually of a great size and weight, and upon completion of the drilling operation, the entire equipment is normally removed from the drilling site. The size and weight of the equipment is such that movement thereof is a problem, and in many instances the entire rig, or portions theretof, must be dismantled or broken up into smaller units or ipackages in order to facilitate transportation thereof to another drilling location. This operation usually requires from three to fifteen days to completely disassemble the equipment at one site, move it to the next drilling location, and reassemble the drilling rig or equipment.

There have been devices developed for moving the drilling rig without a complete disassembly thereof, and this operation is referred to as skidding. In some instances, a plurality of skid beams are inserted through the substructures of a drilling unit, and suitable jacking devices are utilized for jacking up the beams in order to elevate the substructure from the ground sufiiciently for transportation thereof. At least two of these skid beams are normally utilized, with a jacking device provided at each of the four corners determined thereby. Subsequent to the elevation or jacking up of the substructure, wheel units, known as dollies, are disposed under the four corners established by the skid beams and the substructure and equipment mounted thereon may then be towed by a tractor, or the like. Still other devices have been utilized wherein wheeled units are moved over or straddle the four ends of the skid beams in such a manner that the beams may be elevated between spaced sets of wheels.

These devices have greatly facilitated the movement or skidding of drilling equipment and reduced the time required for the transporting thereof from one site to another by reducing the dismantling and reassembly required. However, there are certain disadvantages encountered with these skid units. For example, the substructure of a drilling rig draw works, or the like, is of such a size that the skid beams inserted therethrough must be of a considerable length, and as a result are heavy and somewhat difficult to handle. In addition, the utilization of independent or completely separate jack de vices at the opposed ends of the skid beams presents a problem in that it is difiicult to elevate the ends of the beams simultaneously to maintain a substantially level disposition for the substructure during the elevation EZQZAW thereof. Furthermore, in the devices utilizing the wheeled units which straddle the ends of the skid beams, the towing of the elevated structure is somewhat difiicult in that the degree of turning of the wheels is limited by the distance between the wheels and the beam disposed therebetween.

The present invention contemplates a novel detachable gooseneck device particularly designed and constructed for elevating a substructure, or other equipment to be transported, without a dismantling or disassembly thereof, and without the necessity of inserting skid beams therethrough. The novel gooseneck device may be mounted on a bogie or dolly unit, or the like, in such a manner as to be alternately elevated or lowered thereon. A dolly unit having the novel gooseneck disposed thereon may be easily positioned adjacent the four corners of a substructure whereby the gooseneck may be readily pinned or otherwise secured directly thereto, thus greatly reducing the time and eiiort required for connection and elevation thereof. Subsequent to the connection of the gooseneck at each corner of the substructure, the gooseneck devices may be simultaneously actuated for elevation through the use of a single or central control unit, which may be of any well known type. The gooseneck devices may be either hydraulically, pneumatically, or mechanically actuated, as desired, and in the case of a hydraulic system, for example, a single hydraulic supply device or unit may be connected with the actuating cylinder of each of the gooseneck devices for directing hydraulic fluid thereto simultaneously for a synchronized actuation thereof. With the gooseneck devices in the elevated position with respect to the dolly units, and securely locked therein, the entire substructure and equipment mounted thereon is in a position to be moved across the countryside to a new location.

The elevated structure, supported by the plurality of gooseneck devices and dolly units, may be towed in substantially any well known manner. The leading pair of dollies will be towed and steered by the towing vehicle, but the rear pair of dollies will be trailing units. It is to be noted that there will be no limitation for the turning of the wheels with respect to the gooseneck device or substructure during the elevated position thereof since there is no conflict therebetween. Of course, it may be desirable to secure the wheels in a predetermined position during operation or towing, as is well known, but there is no limitation as to the angular disposition thereof which may be selected.

In an actual field operation, the required number of the gooseneck and bogie units may be readily secured directly to the substructure of any equipment to be moved, such as the draw works unit of a drilling rig. The draw works unit may be elevated and moved to the new location relatively quickly, and lowered to the desired operating position at the new site. The gooseneck devices may then be easily disconnected from the substructure, and the plurality of wheeled or dolly units may be towed back to the original site for connection with the substructure of a second unit, such as the tank unit. The tank unit may then be readily elevated and transported to the new location and lowered to the desired operating position therefor. The entire transporting operation may be repeated as required for moving all of the drilling equipment to the new site without any dismantling or dissembly thereof, and in a fraction of the time and with a minimum of effort as compared to that previously required to ac complish such a move.

The novel gooseneck device is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction, and it is to be noted that the use thereof may be for moving substantially any equipment that is to be transported, and

is in no manner limited to oil field or well drilling equipment.

It is animportant object of this invention to provide a novel gooseneck device adapted to be detachably secured directly to substantially any equipment which is to be transported for facilitating the movement thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a. novel detachable gooseneck for facilitating the raising and 'lowering of particularly heavy equipment which is to be transported intact.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel gooseneck device particularly designed and constructed for skidding a complete drilling rig, or the like, with a minimum of effort and time and in one or'more units. A further object of this invention is to provide a novel detachable gooseneck device adapted to be carried by a wheeled unit in such a manner as to be readily elevated and lowered with respect thereto.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel detachable gooseneck structure adapted for skidding heavy equipment in a manner which eliminates the use of the usual skid beams.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel detachable gooseneck structure which may be readily raised and lowered with respect to a wheeled unit by the use of either hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical power, or the like.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully ap pear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a gooseneck structure embodying the invention and disposed in a lowered position on a running gear, with portions of the running gear eliminated for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a gooseneck device embodying the invention and disposed on a running gear.

FIGURE 3 is a' view similar to FIGURE 1, depicting the gooseneck structure in an elevated position on the running gear.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a modified gooseneck structure embodying the invention and depicted in a lowered position on a running gear.

FIGURE 5 is a broken side elevational view of a plurality of the novel gooseneck devices as utilized for skidding heavy equipment and being towed by a tractor type vehicle.

FIGURE 6 is a rear elevational view'of a running gear having a gooseneck structure embodying the invention mounted thereon, and depicted in the raised position therefor.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly FIGURES 1 through 3, reference character 16 generally indicates a gooseneck structure comprising a connecting portion 12 slidably disposed in a box section 14 in a manner as to be hereinafter set forth whereby the connection portion 12 may be reciprocated or alternately raised and lowered therein.

The box section 14 comprises an upstanding channel member 16 which may be of a substantially square or rectangular cross sectional configuration, as shown in FIGURE 2, or of cylindrical or any suitable cross sectional configuration, as desired. A longitudinally extending slot or opening 18, FIGURE 2, is provided on one side of the channel member 16, and is preferably provided with outwardly extending opposed flange members 29 and 22 conterminous therewith to provide guide members for the reciprocation of the connection member 12. A longitudinally extending recess 24' is provided in the channel member 16 oppositely disposed from the slot 18 for cooperating therewith during reciprocation of the connection member 12, as will. be hereinafter setforth in detail.

A cover member 26 is provided on the upper end of the channel 16 a clearly shown in FIGURE 3. The covor 26 is omitted from FIGURE 2 for purposes of illustration. A centrally disposed aperture 28 is provided in the cover member 26 in order to permit connection with suitable hydraulic or pneumatic lines, or the like (not shown) during operation of the device It). A bottom plate 30 is provided at the lower end of the channel 16 for closing the bottom thereof and is adapted to be secured to the turntable top member 32 of awalking beam structure 34 such as may be provided on a dolly unit or running gear generally indicated at 36. A spacer plate 38 may be disposed within the channel 16 adjacent the bottom plate 34}, and the plates 39, 38 and turntable 32 are preferably secured together by means of a centrally disposed trunnion or journal member 40 and a cooperating retainer member or nut 42. The stud member 46 is provided with a detent 44 on the upper surface thereof, and centrally disposed thereon for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The connection member or portion 12 comprises an outwardly extending upstanding plate member 46 having a substantially triangular shaped upper bracket or arm member 48 rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner (not shown). A transversely extending H-beam 50, or

the like, is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the leading or forward portion of the upper bracket member 48 and is provided with a plurality of complementary pairs of outwardly extending apertured flanges or brackets 52 and 52a and'54 and 54a. The lower edge 56 of the plate member 46 is preferably of an arcuate configuration as shown in FIGURE 1 and complementary to the outer periphery of the wheels 58 of the dolly 36 in order to provide clearance therebetween during utilization of the gooseneck structure It An I-beam 60, or the like, is rigidly secured to the lower edge portion of the plate 46 and is spaced from the upper beam member St A suitable structural member 62 is secured between the upper beam 5%) and the lower beam 60, and may either comprise a plurality of spaced upright members, or may be a single plate member, or the like, as desired. 'A plurality of outwardly extending apertured flanges 64, similar to the flanges 52 and 54, are provided on the lower beam 60, and are preferably in substantial alignment there with for facilitating connection of the gooseneck 10 with a substructures unit, or the like, as will hereinafter set forth.

i A box or channel member 66 is secured to the rear edge portion of the upstanding plate 46 and is slidably disposed within the channel 16. As shown herein, the channel member 66 is of a substantially square cross sectional configuration complementary to the configuration of the'channel 16. However, it is to be understood that either the channel 16 or the channel 66 may be of cylindrical configuration, or the like, in lieu of the square configuration, if desired. From an inspection of FIGURES 1 and 2 it will be apparent that the plate member 46 extends through the slot 18 and is slidably disposed between the flanges 2t) and 22. In addition, an outwardly extending flange 68 is provided on the outer periphery of the channel member 66, oppositely disposed from the plate member 46, and adapted for disposition within the recess 24 for facilitating reciprocation of the channel 66 within the channel 16. Furthermore, a plurality of wear strips 70 may be interposed between the channel 16 and 66, if desired, for facilitating the reciprocation of the channel 66 and reducing wear thereof.

An upper cover member '72 is preferably provided for the channel 66 for supporting a suitable cylinder member 74 within the inner channel member 66. The cylinder 74 may be of any suitable type, such as a hydraulic ramming type cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or a mechanical type jack device, as desired, and is provided with a reciprocal piston or ramming member 76 adapted to extend axially outward therefrom in a direction toward the aecaaoo trunnion do. A central aperture 78 is provided in the cover member '72 in substantial alignment with the aperture 28 of the cover 2-6 whereby suitable hydraulic lines, pneumatic connections, or mechanical actuating means (not shown) may be connected with the cylinder 74 for reciprocation of the plunger member 76, or for movement of the cylinder 74 with respect thereto.

The lower end of the plunger 76 normally rests in the detent 44, and when it is desired to elevate or raise the connection portion 12. of the gooseneck structure with respect to the box section 14, the cylinder 74 is actuated in any well known manner for extending the plunger 76 with respect thereto. This will cause the cylinder 74 to raise or move upwardly, whereby the inner channel member 6-3 will be elevated within the outer channel In to the position shown in FIGURE 3. When it is desired to lower the connection portion 12 with respect to the box section 14, the cylinder is actuated for moving the plunger 76 in an opposite direction with respect thereto, whereby the cylinder 74- will be lowered for simultaneously lowering the channel on within the channel 16. It will be apparent that suitable aligned apertures (not shown) may be provided in the recess portion 24 of the channel 16 and in the flange member 68 for receiving suitable pins 80 therethrough for supporting the channel 66 in the raised position within the channel 16.

It is to be understood that the cylinder 74 may be mounted on the plate 38, or directly to the bottom plate 30, if desired, in such a manner that the plunger 7-5 extends axially upward therefrom whereby actuation of the cylinder will urge the plunger 76 upwardly against the cover 72 for raising of the connection portion 12 within the box section 14. Alternately, the cylinder 74 may be actuated for withdrawing the plunger '76 from the extended position whereby the connection portion 12 will be lowered within the box section 14. There are many arrangements which may be provided for raising and lowering the connection section 12 with respect to the box section 14, and the invention is not in any manner limited to any particular means therefor.

The running gear or dolly unit 35 may be of any suitable well known type, and that depicted herein comprises a four wheeled structure wherein each pair of wheels 53 are supported in the usual manner by a separate axle 82 (FIGURE 2) and the walking beam structure 34 is suitably mounted between the axles 82 whereby the turntable 32. is substantially centrally disposed between the four wheels 53, as clearly shown in FIGURES 2 and 6. In addition, the usual tow bar 8 3 having an aperture connection member 86 projecting forwardly therefrom is preferably carried by the walking beam structure 34 for facilitating towing of the dolly unit 36, as will be hereinafter set forth. Of course, substantially any type of running gear or wheeled unit may be utilized, and no limitation to a four wheel type is intended. A two Wheel running gear (not shown) may be utilized in lieu of the four wheel type depicted herein, if desired, and in this instance, a suitable trunnion having a turn table top such as that depicted herein may be provided on the axle of the wheels, and disposed therebetween for reciving the detachable gooseneck 19. In the event an eight wheeled running gear or dolly unit is utilized, a trunnion having a turn table top, or the like, may be suitably mounted between the spaced sets of four wheels normally provided in such a unit whereby the gooseneck device may be secured thereto and centrally disposed with respect to the eight wheels. Of course, a suitable crawler type device may be utilized for supporting the gooseneck structure it) in lieu of wheeled device, if desired, and the overall operation of the gooseneclr device it will be the same in all instances.

Operation When it is desired to move a drilling rig, or other heavy equipment, without dismantling or disassembly thereof, a plurality of the novel gooseneck structures 16, mounted on suitable wheeled units, or the like, such as the four wheel dolly 36, may be utilized. A dolly 36 may be connected to a suitable towing tractor, such as indicated at 83 in FIGURE 5, through the connection member 84 in any well known manner (not shown), and the dolly 36 may be positioned immediately adjacent one corner of the substructure of the particular package or equipment to be moved. A portion of the substructure of the equipment is indicated in dotted lines at 90 and 92 in FIGURE 3, and it is only necessary to provide apertured ears or flanges 94 and 96 on the substructure portion 99 and 92, respectively, and which are complementary to the flanges 52-5212, 54-54a, and 64. The flanges and ear members may be pinned together by suitable sledge pins 98 and Tilt) in any Well known manner for connecting the connection portion 12 with the substructure %92. It will be apparent that additional flanges 192 may be provided on the connection member 12, if desired, for cooperation with additional ears (not shown) provided on the substructure 90-92 for facilitating connection of the gooseneck structure It with the equipment to be moved, in accordance with the size and location of the structural members being connected to the gooseneck device.

A separate dolly and gooseneck unit may be thus con nected to the four corners of the substructure of the package or equipment to be moved. The connection portions 12 of each gooseneck device it) are preferably secured to the respective corners of the substructure while in the lowered position of the portion 12, as shown in FIGURE 1. Subsequent to the connection with the substructure, the cylinders 74 of each gooseneck device 1% may be connected with a fluid supply source (not shown) in any well known manner for directing the power fluid simultaneously to the cylinders of each device id. As hereinbefore set forth, the cylinders 74 may be hydraulically, pneumatically, or otherwise actuated for raising and lowering of the connection portion 12 within the box section 14. The application of fluid to the cylinders 74, as depicted herein, acts against the plungers 76 in the usual manner for extending the plungers axially outward from the cylinders. In elfect, this causes the cylinders 74 to rise within the channels 16 due to the contact between the plungers '76 and the detent 44.

The elevation of the cylinders 7d is transmitted to the channel member 66 through the cover member '72, and thus to the connection portion 12. It will be apparent that the upward movement of the channel member 66 within the channel 16 is limited by the contact between the cover members '72 and 26. However, as hereinbefore set forth, there are many means available for raising and lowering of the channel 66 within the channel 16, and this particular arrangement is only illustrative of the invention, and does not limit the invention to use of this cylinder device.

Of course, the upward movement of the channel 66 within the channel 16 causes the entire connection portion 12 and the substructure connected therewith to raise simultaneously. With the channel 66 in the uppermost position, as shown in FIGURE 3, the pins may be inserted through the flange 68 and the complementary recess 24 for securely retaining the channel 66 in the raised position. In this manner, the entire substructure and the equipment mounted thereon may be elevated sufiiciently to provide ground clearance therefor during travel over the countryside to a new or different location.

In the lowered position of the connection portion 12, the center web or plate member 46 is disposed between the spaced wheels 58, as clearly shown in FIGURE 1 wherein two of the tires or wheels are eliminated for purposes of illustration. However, in the raised position of the connection portion 12, the lower arcuate portion 56 thereof is raised sufiiciently with respect to the tires or wheels to provide clearance for freedom of rotation for the connection portion. Thus, during movement of the heavy equipment over the countryside, steering of the a dolly units and goosencck structures carried thereby is greatly facilitated. Of course, suitable locking means (not shown) may be provided for locking the channel 66 and turn table 32 against rotation in such a manner that substantially any desired preselected angular disposition for the member 45 may be retained. In addition, it is usually preferable to lock the rearwardly disposed dolly units and gooseneck devices in such a manner that there will be no pivoting or rotation of the turn table during the transportation operation.

In order to move the plurality of gooseneck devices and dolly units, a suitable spacer beam (not shown) may be secured between the two leading dolly units in any well known manner. A pair of forwardly extending, converging beams (not shown) are preferably provided on the spacer beam, and the juncture between the two converging beams may be suitably to the tractor 88. The two leading or forwardly disposed dolly units are steered by the towing vehicle 88 during transporting of the heavy equipment, but the two rear dollies are merely trailing units. It will thus be apparent that the two trailing dollies need not be provided with a rotatable turn table, if so desired;

FIGURE illustrates generally a towing position for the dolly units 36 and gooseneck devices as connected to a substructure 99-92 (indicatedbroadly by the dotted lines extending between the 'two back to back gooseneck devices). 7 With the substructure and gooseneck devices in the elevated position, as depicted in FIGURE 5, the entire package of equipment to be moved may be towed across the countryside to the new location. Upon arrival at the desired destination, the cylinders 74 of each gooseneck device 16 may be properly activated for lowering the cylinder 74 with respect to the plungers 76, and thus lowering the connection'portion 12 within the box section 14. Of course, the pins 80 must be removed prior to the lowering operation, and in addition it is to be noted that any supply lines, or the like (not shown), which connect the cylinder 74 with the power fluid are disconnected subsequent to locking of the connection portions 12 in the raised position, and thus the supply unit need not be connected with the gooseneck devices 10 during [the transportation of the equipment.

When the connection portions 12 and the substructure 9092 have been lowered to the ground, the sledge pins 98 and ltltl may be removed from the flanges and ears and the gooseneck devices thus disconnected from the structure; The released gooseneck devices may then be returned to the original drilling site, or location of the heavy equipment, for repeating the moving operation until all of the equipment packages have been transported. to the new location. As a matter of convenience, the

four dolly units utilized from the moving operation may be disposed in such a manner that the leading pair and 'trailing pair are disposed back to back'in such a manner that the flanges 52-52a, 5454a, and 64 may be interconnected by' suitable pins, such as the sledge pins 98 and 100, andthe tractorSS may tow the connected units back to the original site, or any'other desired location, in a single operation.

Modified structure FIGURE 4 depicts a modified structure 194 which may be mounted on a running gear, generally indicated at 1436,

of substantially any desired type. r The gooseneck device 184 may comprise a box-type structure wherein a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed beams, or the like, are suitably secured to the fifth wheel 11%, or other turntable device, of the running gear 106. A plurality of substantially vertically disposed beams 112 are rigidly secured'to the rear portion of the beam 108 and are provided with a plurality of outwardly extending apertured flanges 114 and 116 for connection with a substructure or other equipment to be moved, as hereinbefore set forth in the preferred embodiment. v

A suitable fifth wheel hoist structure of any well known '3 a?) type, and generally designated at 118, is secured to the forward portion of the beam 1% in any well known manner, such as by a plurality of plate members 12%, or

v the like, for receiving a cable 122 from a winch device (not shown). The cable I122 may be reeled or unreeled upon actuation of the winch device, as is common practice with the use of this type of hoisting apparatus, whereby the beam 1%, and thus the entire gooseneck device 104 may be alternately raised and lowered thereby.

As depicted in FIGURE 4, the gooseneck device 104 is in the lowered position, and may be secured directly to the substructure of the equipment to be moved, as hereinbefore set forth. Suitable locking means (not shown) may be provided for retaining the gooseneck device 14 34 in the elevated position thereof, and in the raised position of thegooseneck 194 and the substructure secured thereto,

theequipment mounted on the substructure may be moved across the countryside as hereinbefore set forth.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel detachable gooseneck structure designed for connection directly to'the substructure or equipment to be moved in order to facilitate the trans- "porting'of heavy equipment without necessity of dismantling thereof or a subsequent resassembly. The novel gooseneck structure is preferably mounted on a suitable dolly unit in such a manner that the connection portion of the gooseneck device may be'readily elevated or lowered with respect thereto. In the elevated position there- .of, the substructure and equipment mounted thereon may be towed across the countryside to a new or different location. In the lowered position of the gooseneck, the

substructure may be disposed on the ground in the preselected position at the'new location. The novel gooseneck structure is simple and efiicient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the'combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the preciseembodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the followingclaims without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is I I 1. In combination with a dolly unit, a goo'seneck structure comprising an outer housing carried by the dolly provided in the outer housing for alternately raising and lowering of the inner housing for a simultaneous raising of the equipment secured to the connection member, means cooperating between the outer housing and inner housing for securing the inner housing in the raised position whereby the equipment will be retained in a raised position during transporting thereof, and guide means cooperating between the inner housing and outer housing for facilitating the raising and lowering of the inner housing with respect to the outer housing, said guide means including a channel member carried by the outer housing, and aflange member carried by the inner housing and slidably disposed within the channel member. i

'2. In combination with .a wheeled dolly unit, a goosen eck structure comprising an upstanding support member carried by the dolly unit, a connection portion having means slidably disposed within the support member for tending through the sidewall of the support member and beyond the dolly unit and movable simultaneously with the connection portion, and means provided on the outer extremity of the said outwardly directed portion for detachable connection with equipment to be transported for raising and lowering of the equipment simultaneously with the connection portion to facilitate transporting and installation of the equipment.

3. In combination with a wheeled dolly unit, a gooseneck structure comprising an upstanding support member carried by the dolly unit, a connection portion slidably secured to the support member for reciprocal movement with respect thereto, means cooperating between the support member and the connection portion to provide said reciprocal movement for alternate raising and lowering of the connection portion with respect to the dolly unit, said connection portion being provided with an outwardly directed portion extending from the support member and beyond the dolly unit and movable simultaneously with the connection portion, means provided on the outer extremity of the said outwardly directed portion for detachable connection with equipment to m transported for raising and lowering of the equipment simultaneously with the connection portion, guide means cooperating between the support member and the connection portion for facilitating the reciprocation of the connection portion and maintaining the proper alignment between the connection portion and support member, said guide means comprising an apertured channel member provided on the support member, an outwardly extending apertured flange member provided on the connection portion and slidably disposed within the channel member, and pin means cooperating between the apertured channel member and apertured flange member for retaining the connection position in the raised position whereby the equipment will be maintained in a raised position during transporting thereof.

4. In combination with a wheeled dolly unit, a gooseneck structure comprising an upstanding support housing carried by the dolly unit, an inner housing slidably disposed within the support housing and reciprocal therein, jack means cooperating between the support housing and the inner housing to provide said reciprocal movement for alternately raising and lowering of the inner housing, said support housing being provided with a longitudinally extending slot in one sidewall portion thereof, an outwardly directed connecting member carried by the inner housing, for simultaneous movement therewith and extending through the slot and beyond the peripheral limits of the dolly unit, means provided on the outer extremity of the connection member for detachable connection with equipment to be transported for raising and lowering of the equipment simultaneously with the inner housing, and means cooperating between the inner housing and support housing for retaining the inner housing in the raised position during transporting of the equipment.

5. In combination with a wheeled dolly unit, a goosenecit structure comprising an upstanding support housing carried by the dolly unit, an inner housing slidably dis posed within the support housing and reciprocal therein, means cooperating between the support housing and inner housing for alternate raising and lowering of the inner housing, guide means cooperating between the inner housing and support housing for facilitating the reciprocal movement of the inner housing and to maintain the proper alignment therebetween, said support housing being provided with a longitudinal slot in the sidewall thereof, an outwardly directed connection member carried by the inner housing and extending through the slot and to a position beyond the dolly unit, a transversely extending member secured to the outer extremity of the connection member, a plurality of spaced apertured flanges provided on the transversely extending member for receiving pins therethrough for detachably securing the connection member with equipment to be transported, an apertured channel member provided in the support housing, and an outwardly extending apertured flange member provided on the outer periphery of the inner housing and slidably disposed within the channel member for cooperating therewith to receive pin members through the apertures to retain the inner housing in a raised position within the support housing for maintaining the equipment in a raised position during transporting thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,964,119 6/34 Hendry 254--2.2 X 2,584,240 2/52 Stewart 214-512 2,604,640 7/52 Junkin 254--2.2 2,899,088 8/59 Corbin 214-651 X 2,998,960 9/61 Smith 2542,2 3,051,442 8/62 Tipps 2S22.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 711,417 6/31 France. 874,272 8/61 Great Britain.

DONLEY I. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. 

3. IN COMBINATION WITH A WHEELED DOLLY UNIT, A GOOSENECK STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN UPSTANDING SUPPORT MEMBER CARRIED BY THE DOLLY UNIT, A CONNECTION PORTION SLIDABLY SECURED TO THE SUPPORT MEMBER FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO, MEANS COOPERATING BETWEEN THE SUPPORT MEMBER AND THE CONNECTION PORTION TO PROVIDE SAID RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT FOR ALTERNATE RAISING AND LOWERING OF THE CONNECTION PORTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DOLLY UNIT, SAID CONNECTION PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTED PORTION EXTENDING FROM THE SUPPORT MEMBER AND BEYOND THE DOLLY UNIT AND MOVABLE SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE CONNECTION PORTION, MEANS PROVIDED ON THE OUTER EXTREMITY OF THE SAID OUTWARDLY DIRECTED PORTION FOR DETACHABLE CONNECTION WITH EQUIPMENT TO BE TRANSPORTED FOR RAISING AND LOWERING OF THE EQUIPMENT SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE CONNECTION PORTION, GUIDE MEANS COOPERATING BETWEEN THE SUPPORT MEMBER AND THE CONNECTION PORTION FOR FACILITATING THE RECIPROCATION OF THE CONNECTION PORTION AND MAINTAINING THE PROPER ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE CONNECTION PORTION AND SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID GUIDE MEANS COMPRISING AN APERTURED CHANNEL MEMBER PROVIDED ON THE SUPPORT MEMBER, AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING APERTURED FLANGE MEMBER PROVIDED ON THE CONNECTION PORTION AND SLIDABLY DISPOSED WITHIN THE CHANNEL MEMBER, AND PIN MEANS COOPERATING BETWEEN THE APERTURED CHANNEL MEMBER AND APERTURED FLANGE MEMBER FOR RETAINING THE CONNECTION POSITION IN THE RAISED POSITION WHEREBY THE EQUIPMENT WILL BE MAINTAINED IN A RAISED POSITION DURING TRANSPORTING THEREOF. 